One Central New York legislator, Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, D-Ithaca, earned a 95 score, the second-highest awarded to Assembly members by EPL/Environmental Advocates, the lobbying arm of Environmental Advocates of New York.

In comparison, two other CNY legislators, Assemblymen Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, and Bob Oaks, R-Macedon, received scores of 34. Only three other Assembly members were given lower marks.

EPL/Environmental Advocates gave low marks to all of the state senators because it said the Senate did not pass any important bills protecting the environment in 2012.

From the region's delegation, Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, received the top score, a 38, and Sen. Joe Griffo, R-Rome, the lowest, a 23.

EPL/Environmental Advocates rated 2012 as one of the least productive years in a decade for the state's environmental agenda because no major environmental bills were passed by the Legislature.

"We saw scores fall across the board for each of the legislative conferences based on a variety of factors, including the lack of action on bills most critical to our environmental health, as well as an increase in the passage of bills that actually do harm to New York's environment," explained Rob Moore, executive director of Environmental Advocates. "While the Assembly failed to act on the governor's solar energy bill, which was not introduced until the end of session, their legislative agenda did recognize that environmental protections and economic development are not mutually exclusive. Sadly, others members of the Legislature not only voted against our environment, but sought to dismantle prior conservation victories."

The group gave higher average scores to Assembly Democrats (89) and lower scores to Assembly Republicans (49). It gave Senate Democrats an average score of 61 and their Republican counterparts an average score of 33.

EPL/Environmental Advocates says it was formed in 1969 as one of the first organizations in the nation to advocate for the future of a state’s environment and the health of its citizens. The group issues a voter guide each year tracking legislators' voting records on bills that could help or harm the air, land, and water.

Legislators’ scores are based on their votes on a wide range of bills, but their scores are heavily influenced by their support (or lack thereof) for "Super Bills," which the group identifies as the state's most pressing environmental priorities.